County presents $11 million Georges Creek project list, warns permitting could stretch work over years

Adam Heffner, a county staff member leading public‑works coordination, told commissioners the county has compiled a ranked list of 48 projects to address sewer collapses, compromised bridges, stream‑bank stabilization and debris removal in the Georges Creek watershed, tied to roughly $11,000,000 in state funding. "11,000,000 total, to be split between a category we're calling infrastructure and what they're calling Georgia's Creek Riverbed Restoration," Heffner said as he walked the board through the packet.

Heffner said staff met with town officials in the field and used recent bid and historical data to estimate project costs, but emphasized important questions remain about administration, bidding requirements, wage‑rate rules and potential Build America, Buy America clauses that could affect contracts. "This could take 5 to 10 years to be," Heffner warned, noting permitting windows and staffing constraints will shape the schedule.

Commissioners asked for clear lists of outstanding questions to present to state officials; staff recommended follow‑up field meetings with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to finalize rankings and confirm who will administer projects. Heffner and other staff said sewer repairs and bridge work are priority items; the presentation also flagged a potential $1,000,000 federal earmark for a library project that could double to $2,000,000 if secured.

Next steps include finalizing the ranked project list, clarifying bidding and administrative authority with DHCD, and returning to the board with proposed contract and permitting steps. Staff said they would provide draft questions for commissioners to take to meetings with state secretaries and would report back as allocations and rules are clarified.